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Show A7 WWW.NETXNEWS.NET MONDAY • JUNE 12 • 2006 t i l l ! 1 I II I I I II I i~i ; "-*;^?;;%^S5 I i i Mr i I i World US ready for the global tournament Ben Webster Webster's Wisdom Webster S^ NBA Finals ready to take flight Miami and Dallas finally made it. We have waited and wondered a long time to see who would reach the NBA Finals. After a month and a half of the grueling playoffs, we can finally see two great teams go at it for all the marbles. Many prognosticators figured we would have a rematch of the finals from last year or at least one team from a year ago. However, the Pistons and the Spurs, the two teams with the NBA's best regular season records, were knocked out by the new boys, two teams that play with offense, who reached the NBA's biggest stage. The Heat and the Mavericks made it a bit unexpectedly and it took an eternity to get to this stage, but the Finals won't be disappointing like they have in the past. For two years we have seen dominant defensive teams hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy and ratings drop year after year. For many fans, boring basketball has led teams to championships. With Offense the key to Miami and Dallas, we should expect an up-tempo form of hoops. The Finals is where legends are made. The Pistons, known throughout history for being legends on the defensive end, have won multiple championships. Who ever becomes the legend in this case will do it by putting the ball in the hoop. There are a few choices of who will cement their place in history. There is, of course, Shaquille O'Neal, already a sure-fire Hall-of-Fame member. If Shaq continues his steady and effective inside play (20 points and 9 rebounds) and comes up with two or more big games, the Heat will take home the trophy and Shaq will have his forth ring. In the backcourt for the Heat, they have another legend in the making. These playoffs have been an impressive highlight reel for Dwayne Wade, also known as Flash. He has oohed and awed fans across the country with his speed, drives and amazing mid-air moves. Wade has been nothing short of the "Man" this post-season. Again offense is what we expect from Wade. Despite all that Miami has, Dallas's Dirk Nowitzki could become the legend after these finals. The big German is a matchup nightmare for almost every team in the league. He has been unstoppable during this playoff run, where he is averaging 28.4 points per game. Miami will struggle in trying to contain the big man. Udonis Haslem, James Posey or Antoine Walker won't stop the 7-foot forward from getting his buckets. He already has one 50-point game this post-season. If he needs to, he could have another. Whatever happens in the NBA Finals, one thing is for sure: the NBA will crown a team champion because of what they do offensively not because of defense. Times are changing and the NBA is exciting once again. Miami has two big stars rising to the occasion during the playoffs. Dallas has Dirk. Miami has the advantage. This series could be another long one but I say Miami in six. Shaq gets number four and Wade is the Finals MVP. $.& Si this group, entering their first World Cup. Sports Writer The world will be buzzing for a month he U.S.A. has long been con-. with all the action that takes place in sidered an underdog when it Germany. All 64 games can be seen in comes to the most popular the U.S. on ABC, ESPN and ESPN 2. sport in the world; though The U.S. is getting better at the world's this time may be a little different. The game but this tournament couid go a U.S. is still considered one of the lesser long way for the future of the sport in teams in this year's tournament, even America. Donovan and fellow midfielder DaMwith a number five world ranking. arcus Beasley will be the key to many Despite critics, U.S. Midfielder Landgoals during the U.S. run through on Donovan told ABC, "We should be favored to win when we step on the the Cup. Both were just 20 years old field with every team other than Bra- for the last World Cup. They are still young but have valuable Cup experizil." Figuring Brazil wins their group, be- ence heading into Germany. Radio Announcer for Real Salt Lake, cause they are the favorite to win it all, the U.S. would have to play them in Ryan Hatch, said, "Obviously Donothe round of 16 if the U.S. makes it out van will need to be the playmaker that of the first round in second place for he is for the U.S. to be successful. When he their group. Just getting to the second round could to be, he is the be challenging for the American squad. of b e s t They first take on the second ranked Czech Republic on June 12th. The players Czech are a highly favored team to win i n the whole thing, right behind Brazil. the The first game could be the most important one. If the U.S. doesn't get out of it with at least a point, they could be in serious trouble right off the bat. Things don't get much easier for the Americans in the second game. On June 17th, the U.S. faces the Italians. Though Francesco Totti, the Italians playmaker, is recovering from a broken leg, the Italians are still a perennial powerhouse in Europe. If the U.S. can control strikers Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni, they could earn some much-needed points. The U.S. finishes group play with Ghana on June 22nd. Coach Bruce Arena said, "We will plan for the Czechs and Italians but wait for the Cup to start to look at Ghana." Ghana is expected to be the true underdog in T world. The problem is, he has never been known to be consistent. He can't afford to take a match off." In Goal for the U.S. is Kasey Keller. This will be his fourth Cup but he only saw action in 1998, four years ago he backed up Brad Friedel. Keller's experience in Europe will be crucial if the Americans are going to any damage. Captain Cladio Reyna's health could be a huge factor as well. "The number one key for the U.S. will be the health of Reyna. If he is truly healthy, the U.S. can play with anyone," Hatch said. It will be a struggle for the U.S. to match what they did in 2002 with the surprising appearance to the quarters. In 1998, the squad went three and out. We could see it again if the U.S. fails to get off to a good start. They say they are ready, come June 12th we will know for sure. The world is waiting. E5S2fleSK^^ UVSC Baseball Dl honors Ben Webster 12 multi-RBI games and 51 RBIs on the year. Right handed pitcher MickSenior Nick Connor and olio finished his final season Junior Dan Bulow were hon- with the Wolverines with a ored recently being named to 6-6 record and a 5.30 ERA. the Division-I All-Indepen- Not only did he lead UVSC dent first team as they were in wins but he also led the among seven wolverine team with 15 starts and 91.2 baseball players to receive innings pitched. Mickolio recognition for outstanding had two shut outs on the year and also received Indeplay this season. Others who received hon- pendent Pitcher of the week ors include senior Kam during April. Mickolio, sophomore Adam Openshaw received honors Openshaw, and freshman as the second team desigChris Benson, who were nated hitter. He batted .326 named to the second team. with 29 RBIs, nine doubles Senior Canyon Vance and and four homers. junior Eli Slesk received Benson, third baseman honorable mention. in his first year for UVSC, Centerfielder Conn6r, from finished the season with a Idaho, got it done at the plate school record 17-game hitwith the nation's sixth best ting streak and batted .367 batting average at .434, best for the season. for independent players as Slesk led the team with 75 well. He is now playing for hits, fifth among Indepenthe Coastal Bend Aviators in dents and Vance finished the Corpus Christi, Texas. year with a .367 batting avBulow, afirstbaseman from erage and had 31 RBIs, one Mapleton, led the team with triple, 13 doubles and four 13 home runs, fourth among home runs. Independents. His slugging Division I Independent percentage was third among coaches and sports inforthe Independents at .628. He mation directors voted for also led the Wolverines with the All-Independent teams. Sports Writer >s''$ty Courtesy photo/Boyd Ivey Senior Nick Connor was named to the Di All-Independent 1st team after batting .434 this season. Connor is now playing for the Costal Bend Aviators of the Independent American Association in Corpus Christi, Texas. UVSC ended the year with a 19-37 record. |